Project Accessory Mentor Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti Offers New Year's Eve Style Tips

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BPR Interview with Project Accessory Champion, Brian Burkhardt

Brian Burkhardt was strong all season and consistently produced memorable and creative pieces. The judges loved his unexpected and unique designs and Brian emerged the very first Project Accessory Champion. Congratulations!

Click here to visit Brian's website.

You can also purchase his sale pieces here.

Thank you Brian!

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BPR Interview with Project Accessory Finalist, Nina Cortes

Project Accessory Finalist, Nina Cortes talks about her experience on the show.

Click here to see Nina's website.

Click below to listen to the interview.

Thank you Nina!

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Project Accessory Episode 8 Recap From Second City Style

Here are the memorable quotes from the finale of Project Accessory:

“I don’t know what’s going to happen yet, so I’m not so stressed out about it.” – Rich

“It’s a grown up, bohemian girl, tomboy.” – Nina

“If they don’t come out right, or they don’t come out at all, I’m gonna be in bad shape.” – Brian

“I think Brian is running without a plan.” – Rich

“There’s like, a dark streak running through my design aesthetic.” – Rich

“If it’s gonna look like something you just grabbed from your garage, don’t do it.” – Diego

Click here for the full recap from our friends at Second City Style.

BPR Interview with Project Accessory Finalist, Rich Sandomeno

Rich talks about his experience on the show.

Click here to see more of Rich's designs.

Click below to listen to the podcast.

Thank you Rich!

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There is Still Time...

There is still time to bid on the Project Accessory Episode 7 Auctions. Right now, Rich's winning design has the highest bid.



Click here to see all of the auctions.

Poll: Who Will Win Project Accessory?

Please click here to vote in our poll.

Right now, Nina is your favorite!

Project Accessory Season 1 Finale Preview Video

BPR Interview with "Project Accessory" Designer, Christina Caruso

BPR: Congratulations on your very strong showing in the competition.

CC: Thank You, Laura.

BPR: How long did the judges deliberate before they arrived at this decision?

CC: The judges took adequate time to deliberate as they usually do. We (the designers) are in a separate location when the judges are deliberating. We are just anxiously waiting around for the decisions to be made....

BPR: Which was your favorite challenge?

CC: Naturally, I loved the body suit challenge. Not just because I won that challenge, but because that challenge came very natural to me. I wear body suits in the real world and not just to dance class :)

BPR: Who was your best friend from the cast?

CC: I was there for the "experience" and part of that "experience" being meeting new and creative people/ making new friends. I have to say that on the show I felt a close connection with Rich. We would trade tools for styling tips. Overall, I would say the top 5 had a very strong connection. Diego, Brian and I all have Italian Greyhounds too which is kinda crazy as they are very unique dogs.
Everyone feels like family and we all keep up with one another. Brian calls me everyday! Love them all!


BPR: You arrived at the competition with an impressive resume. What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

CC: Wow, thank you. I have to say it was teaming up with Patricia Field to have my designs featured on SJP in Sex and the City. That was AMAZING... I think I just graduated from Parsons when that happened. The rest is history!

BPR: What are you working on now?

CC: I am the jewelry Design Director at Banana Republic. I always wanted to be a Gap girl and now I finally am part of the iconic GAP brand.

BPR: If you could go back, is there anything that you would do differently?

CC: NOPE

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Project Accessory Episode 7 recap from Courtney A. Hammonds

Is it Haute or Insect Couture?

Joyeuses Fetes and Buone Feste BPRs! It’s your Image Architect, Courtney A. Hammonds. Last week acclaimed designer Kenneth Cole and this week Insect Couture? The things 5 designers have to go through (smile!) Oh, I started my hellos with Happy Holidays in French and Italian.

Episode 7 Highlights:

The designers were taken on an inspiration trip to chic yet creepy Evolution in the SOHO district of New York City. Evolution is an eccentric shop that sells all types of natural history collectibles, where countless creative minds go for inspiration. The designers were given an evening gown from Elie Tahari and were asked to create accessory pieces inspired by their bug/insects to enrich the gowns. This week all is on the line because not one but two designers will be eliminated. PRESSURE! The designers were given a budget of $200.00.

The bug/insect selections were endless. Diego again plays it safe and picks a beautiful but practical butterfly; Christina picks a green leaf something; Brian (no comment); Nina overcame her expressed fear of insects and picked a spider. Last, Rich (my on again off again fan favorite) selected a distinctive creature (Beetle).

Sidebar: I should mention all the bugs were dead.

I guess I should have started with the gown assortment! Brian was given first dibs based on last week’s exhibition. He picked an elegant black gown; Christina picked the most decorative piece with embroidery (green accents); Rich picked an Angelina Jolie inspired dress (maroon) and Nina picked a cream number. OK, you should be caught up.

Click here to continue.

Project Accessory Episode 7 Recap from Second City Style

Our friends at Second City Style offer these memorable quotes from episode seven:

“Christina goes for the crazy dress, and that’s crazy.” –Nina

“It’s like walking off a plank of a pirate ship.” –Rich

“That store is like the inside of my brain.” –Rich

“I’m inspired by the dress. I’m thinking modern bohemian princess.” –Christina

“Rich is very weird. It’s like, uh, he’s doing an autopsy on a bug.” –Diego

“I like noises, especially when I know it’s annoying people.” –Diego

“His model looks like she just came out of the cemetery.” –Diego

“I feel like your model was in Hurricane Irene.” –Molly

Click here for the full recap.

Who Will Win Project Accessory?

We are down to the final week on season 1 of Project Accessory and wondering which designer you believe will win this season.

Will it be young Nina Cortes? Nina has been a judges' favorite from the very first week. Never landing in the bottom three, Nina's feminine and delicate designs will appeal to a wide range of customers.

Or former auto mechanic Rich Sandomeno? Rich may not know how to make a handbag, but he can work magic with metal. Rich always delivers edgy and original designs.

Or will it be Brian Burkhardt? Brian has dozens of tricks and the judges have already given him two wins. Molding, pouring resin, filing, drilling and never shying from unique materials, Brian's designs always surprise.

Please make your prediction. Thank you!

poll by twiigs.com

BPR Interview with "Project Accessory" Designer, Diego Rocha

Project Accessory designer, Diego Rocha, talks about his experience on the show.

Click here to visit Diego's website.

Click below to listen to the podcast.

Thank you Diego!

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There is Still Time...

There is still time to bid in the Project Accessory Episode 6 Auctions. Right now, Brian Burkhardt's winning design has the highest bid.



Click here to see all of the auctions.

Project Accessory Episode 7 Preview Video

"Bugging Out" - The designers search for inspiration at a curiosity shop to create a signature accessory. Shoe designer Brian Atwood is a guest judge.

Purchase Brian Burkhardt's Winning Designs from Kenneth Cole

Brian Burkhardt's Unicorn Clutch and Bolo Tie designs are now available for pre-order. All sales benefit Awearness.

Project Accessory Episode 6 Recap from Second City Style

Our friends at Second City Style offer these memorable quotes from Project Accessory Episode 6:

“Yay for Kenneth!” –Molly, on Kenneth Cole’s charitable contributions

“I’m happy but…I’m avoiding the sewing.” –Nina to Diego on her clutch

“Little tip of Diego knowledge. Diego, bag man.” –Nina to Diego

“This is probably how the American Flag got made.” –Adrian on the slow sewing machines

”It’s starting to get competitive.” –Brian

“The closer we look at your accessories, the less we like them.” –Molly to Adrian

“I’m really horny for your unicorn bag!” –Alexa Chung to Brian

Click here for the full recap.

Project Accessory Episode 6 Recap from Courtney A. Hammonds

Knock Knock BPRs! It’s your Image Architect, Courtney A. Hammonds.

Six Episodes in and six remaining Designers! Last week, the contestants ended up in destination central Coney Island (YEAH!!!) And Shea was eliminated!

Episode 6 Highlights: The designers will have a scheduled meeting with acclaimed designer Kenneth Cole in his design studio! How exciting for the designers because they're going to be doing something spectacular for Mr. Kenneth Cole! Each designer will be "assigned" a look from his Holiday 2011 collection.

Side Note: Let me first say, that I unequivocally Love Kenneth Cole. He is a great business mogul, humanitarian, but lacks excitement! Loosen up Kenneth! Remember, I still love you though (in my innocent voice.)

Back to recapping! The designers’ challenge is to craft a clutch to go with the assigned outfit along with another accessory of their choice. The winner will have their designs sold under Mr. Cole’s fashion label! Don’t get too excited because the winning designer won't get any currency! All the profits will go to fund AIDS research. Cole finishes by telling all of the designers not to screw up. The designers are each given $150 to shop and a half hour to sketch.

Click here to continue.

BPR Interview with "Project Accessory" Designer, Adrian Dana

Project Accessory contestant and "Church Hat Designer," Adrian Dana talks about his experience on the show.



Click here for Adrian's website.

Click here to see more hats!

Click below to listen to the interview.

Thank you Adrian!

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There is Still Time....

There is still time to bid on the Project Accessory episode 5 auctions. Right now Diego's design has the highest bid.



Click here to see all of the items available and to place your bids.